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Software-as-a-Service-based solution for research and knowledge exchange administration

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD(THE)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Sep 2026 at 15:15

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

11 Sep 2026 at 15:01

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Salford procured a software-as-a-service solution for administering research and knowledge exchange. The scope covers the full project lifecycle, including pre-award and post-award projects, contracts, researcher and organisational profiles, the Research Excellence Framework, research impact, outputs and repository functions. This is a software and information-systems requirement rather than a construction or physical-goods supply. The solution is intended to support the university’s research administration and knowledge-exchange operations through an integrated platform. The contracting authority is the University of Salford, based in Salford. Delivery is for the university’s operations in the United Kingdom. The requirement was treated as a single lot and the selected supplier is WorkTribe Ltd, an SME headquartered in Bristol.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award. WorkTribe Ltd was selected on 11 September 2026 for the single lot. The award is valued at £736,999 excluding VAT and £884,398.80 including VAT. The award contract period runs from 27 January 2027 to 26 January 2032, with signature scheduled by 1 November 2026. The buyer justified the direct award because WorkTribe provides the existing research information system, which is deeply embedded in university systems and daily operations. Existing custom integrations, APIs and data-mapping profiles were built specifically for that system; moving provider was assessed as creating disproportionate risks around technical transition, data fragmentation, migration failure, integration complexity and material data loss. The award is above the relevant threshold.

For a future requirement of this kind, credible suppliers would need a mature research and knowledge-exchange administration platform covering pre-award and post-award project management, contracts, profiles, REF activity, impact, outputs and repositories. This buyer’s procurement also demonstrates the importance of proven integration with university systems and established operational workflows. Competitors would need the technical capability to design, maintain and support substantial custom integrations, APIs and data-mapping profiles, while preserving data continuity across a complex research-information environment. Evidence of successful implementation in a university or similarly data-intensive organisation would help demonstrate practical experience. Suppliers should also be able to manage migration, interoperability and information-governance risks convincingly, because continuity of service and avoidance of data fragmentation were central to the selected supplier’s position.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Software-as-a-Service-based solution for research and knowledge exchange administration

Notice Description

A Software-as-a-Service-based solution for research and knowledge exchange administration covering pre and post award projects, contracts, profiles, REF, impact, and outputs/repository.

Procurement Information

Worktribe provides the current research information system. This infrastructure is heavily embedded into the University's systems and daily operational processes. Significant custom integrations, APIs, and data mapping profiles have been specifically built to function exclusively with this system. Transitioning to an alternative provider at this stage would introduce severe, disproportionate technical difficulties, including data fragmentation and migration failure, integration complexities, and risk of material loss to the University.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f84c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086540-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£736,999 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Sep 20265 days ago
Contract Period
27 Jan 2027 - 26 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD(THE)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALFORD
Postcode
M5 4WT
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Salford
Electoral Ward
Ordsall
Westminster Constituency
Salford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Worktribe Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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